Culture, Actors, and Resources Surrounding Undergraduate Bioethics Education in Sub-Saharan Africa

Scientisationisagrowingtrendasindividualsworldwideharnessscientific tools and knowledge to solve problems. This phenomenon is evident in biomedical research, which has increased across sub-Saharan Africa, and when encountering bioethical issues arising during the course of such research. This research synthesis considers how the constructs of culture, actors, and resources in the region shape undergraduate bioethics education. Using a lens of sociological neo-institutionalism, taken-for-granted bioethical scripts, like informed consent and medical confidentiality, are evident in this education; however, actual implementation demonstrates the way they are often adapted and contextualised, with implications for students and instructors, and ultimately patients and research participants. The education considered is that for undergraduates in health sciences and medicine because they are prominent actors in research and clinical practice across the region. In considering insights from this literature, the aim is to positively impact health across sub-Saharan Africa

BOOK REVIEW: Ashcroft, K., & Rayner, P. (2011). Higher Education in Development: Lessons from Sub-Saharan Africa. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing, Inc., 286 pp., ISBN: 978-1-61735-541-7.

Book Review: Ashcroft, K., & Rayner, P. (2011). Higher Education in Development: Lessons from Sub-Saharan Africa. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing, Inc., 286 pp., ISBN: 978-1-61735-541-7

Improving population estimates of Glossy Black-Cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus lathami) using photo-identification

Site-based population estimates of the threatened Glossy Black-Cockatoo ('GBC'; Calyptorhynchus lathami) are often calculated based on age and sex details from transect counts. However, these estimates do not distinguish individual birds, which may result in over- or under-estimation of the population. Two methods were used to estimate GBC populations in Mugii Murum-ban State Conservation Area, New South Wales: (1) the traditional transect method, and (2) a photographic method, which used plumage patterns (primarily the yellow facial feathers of females) and other supporting features to discriminate between foraging GBC family units. The second method has been used previously on Kangaroo Island, South Australia. A catalogue with a matrix of discriminating features was established based on the photographic method; this resulted in a higher population estimate than the transect method in two seasons (winter and spring), as well as providing an annual population estimate, and information on breeding dynamics and local movement of individual family units between foraging habitat. Recommendations for the application of the photographic method are provided. The method provides benefits at both the local scale (with more accurate site population estimates and information on population dynamics) and, with widespread adoption and national cataloguing, valuable knowledge on regional movement patterns and distribution

Engineering a catabolic pathway in plants for the degradation of 1,2-dichloroethane

Plants are increasingly being employed to clean up environmental pollutants such as heavy metals; however, a major limitation of phytoremediation is the inability of plants to mineralize most organic pollutants. A key component of organic pollutants is halogenated aliphatic compounds that include 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCA). Although plants lack the enzymatic activity required to metabolize this compound, two bacterial enzymes, haloalkane dehalogenase (DhlA) and haloacid dehalogenase (DhlB) from the bacterium Xanthobacter autotrophicus GJ10, have the ability to dehalogenate a range of halogenated aliphatics, including 1,2-DCA. We have engineered the dhlA and dhlB genes into tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum ‘Xanthi’) plants and used 1,2-DCA as a model substrate to demonstrate the ability of the transgenic tobacco to remediate a range of halogenated, aliphatic hydrocarbons. DhlA converts 1,2-DCA to 2-chloroethanol, which is then metabolized to the phytotoxic 2-chloroacetaldehyde, then chloroacetic acid, by endogenous plant alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase activities, respectively. Chloroacetic acid is dehalogenated by DhlB to produce the glyoxylate cycle intermediate glycolate. Plants expressing only DhlA produced phytotoxic levels of chlorinated intermediates and died, while plants expressing DhlA together with DhlB thrived at levels of 1,2-DCA that were toxic to DhlA-expressing plants. This represents a significant advance in the development of a low-cost phytoremediation approach toward the clean-up of halogenated organic pollutants from contaminated soil and groundwater

Empowered but not Equal: Challenging the Traditional Gender Roles as Seen by University Students in Saudi Arabia

This study examines perspectives of Saudi university students regarding changing gender roles as affected by women’s rights, education, employment, and activity in the public sphere. Results from a questionnaire distributed among 4,455 male and female students indicate students are confident and optimistic about improving gender equity, however resistance from those holding traditional views still exist. Female respondents are more optimistic than male respondents,seeing changes in gender roles as advantageous to their personal and professional lives. Representing a group of allies, a majority of male students regard changing gender roles positively. Men and women reported personal courage to address these challenges, which is an asset moving forward. While approval will never reach consensus,changes may be forthcoming. By surveying the Saudi university population, this study seeks to inform strategy and policy. Gender equity is only possible through increased societal acceptance of women’s freedom in their everyday lives

The infrared imaging spectrograph (IRIS) for TMT: the science case

The InfraRed Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) is a first-light instrument being designed for the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT). IRIS is a combination of an imager that will cover a 16.4" field of view at the diffraction limit of TMT (4 mas sampling), and an integral field unit spectrograph that will sample objects at 4-50 mas scales. IRIS will open up new areas of observational parameter space, allowing major progress in diverse fields of astronomy. We present the science case and resulting requirements for the performance of IRIS. Ultimately, the spectrograph will enable very well-resolved and sensitive studies of the kinematics and internal chemical abundances of high-redshift galaxies, shedding light on many scenarios for the evolution of galaxies at early times. With unprecedented imaging and spectroscopy of exoplanets, IRIS will allow detailed exploration of a range of planetary systems that are inaccessible with current technology. By revealing details about resolved stellar populations in nearby galaxies, it will directly probe the formation of systems like our own Milky Way. Because it will be possible to directly characterize the stellar initial mass function in many environments and in galaxies outside of the the Milky Way, IRIS will enable a greater understanding of whether stars form differently in diverse conditions. IRIS will reveal detailed kinematics in the centers of low-mass galaxies, allowing a test of black hole formation scenarios. Finally, it will revolutionize the characterization of reionization and the first galaxies to form in the universe.Comment: to appear in Proc. SPIE 773

Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Evolution Using Si Microwire Arrays

Arrays of B-doped p-Si microwires, diffusion-doped with P to form a radial n+ emitter and subsequently coated with a 1.5-nm-thick discontinuous film of evaporated Pt, were used as photocathodes for H_2 evolution from water. These electrodes yielded thermodynamically based energy-conversion efficiencies >5% under 1 sun solar simulation, despite absorbing less than 50% of the above-band-gap incident photons. Analogous p-Si wire-array electrodes yielded efficiencies <0.2%, largely limited by the low photovoltage generated at the p-Si/H_2O junction

Prediction modeling for Board of Certification exam success for a professional master’s athletic training program

Introduction: The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education mandates accredited athletic training programs have a minimum, three-year aggregate, first-attempt pass rate on the Board of Certification (BOC) examination of 70%. No studies have examined first-attempt BOC exam success for students enrolled in a professional master’s athletic training program (PMATP). Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with first-attempt success on the BOC examination for PMATP students. Methods: This cohort designed study used common application data from subjects’ university and PMATP applications to create prediction models to identify those factors that predict first-attempt success on the BOC exam. Results: A four-factor model was produced to predict first-attempt BOC exam success. Both models demonstrated a student with two, three or more predictors had an odds ratio of 16.0 or greater, a relative frequency of success of 1.45 or greater, and correctly predicted first-attempt success on the BOC exam over 92% of the time. Conclusions: It is possible to predict success on the BOC exam for students from a PMATP based on common application data. Recommendations: Although this project involved predicting success on the athletic training certification exam, the procedures and methods used could be adapted to any academic program

Unlocking the Methodology Of Escape Rooms: Considerations For Conducting Applied Escape Rooms in Research

Background. Teams are the foundation of modern organizations. Many organizations are interested in interventions to bolster the effectiveness of their workforce. One viable intervention is an escape room. Escape rooms are engaging, team based activities that require individuals to work together to complete multiple tasks in a limited amount of time. Purpose. The purpose of this article is to provide ten considerations that are relevant to leveraging escape rooms as a means for data collection. Specifically, we offer guidance regarding pilot testing, equipment set-up, participant recruitment, briefing participants, progress monitoring, hints, room maintenance, data maintenance and analysis, and revising the room and study. Conclusion. The considerations provided in this article can assist researchers when attempting to employ an escape room as a mechanism to collect data